By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The highest ranked girls soccer teams in Northern Kentucky will meet in the 9th Region semifinals Wednesday when Conner takes on Notre Dame at 5:30 p.m. at Conner.
Both teams won region first-round matches by wide margins on Monday. In the latest Ratings Percentage Index girls state rankings, Conner was No. 4 and Notre Dame was No. 10 based on their won-loss records and strength of schedule. They did not play each other during the regular season.
Both teams hosted region tournament openers on Monday. Conner defeated Newport Central Catholic, 7-0, to post its 19th shutout of the season. Notre Dame routed St. Henry, 6-0, two weeks after the Pandas pulled out a 2-1 win against the Crusaders.
Notre Dame senior Maya Tully had two goals and two assists in her team’s victory. Conner’s leading scorers were senior Milana Arevalo and freshman Ella Folke with two goals each.
Last year, Notre Dame defeated Conner, 3-0, in the opening round of of the region tournament. The Pandas went on to win the region title and made it to the semifinals in the state playoffs.
The other 9th Region semifinal match will be Highlands vs. Dixie Heights at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Conner. In their first-round matches, Highlands defeated Cooper, 1-0, and Dixie Heights won a penalty kick shootout against Holy Cross.
There were a pair of shutouts in the 10th Region girls first-round matches on Monday when Brossart buried Pendleton County, 9-0, and Campbell County clipped Montgomery County, 4-0.
In the 8th Region playoffs, Walton-Verona got past Spencer County, 2-0, and Simon Kenton defeated Collins, 7-1, in girls first-round matches. But the season ended for the Simon Kenton boys team with a 2-1 loss to Collins.
Girls soccer region tournaments
9th REGION AT CONNER
Wednesday
Notre Dame vs. Conner, 5:30 p.m.
Highlands vs. Dixie Heights, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match, 1 p.m.
10th REGION AT BROSSART
Wednesday
Brossart vs. George Rogers Clark, 5:30 p.m.
Campbell County vs. Harrison County, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 7 p.m.
8th REGION AT CARROLL COUNTY
Thursday
Simon Kenton vs. Oldham County, 6 p.m.
Walton-Verona vs. South Oldham, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match, 3 p.m.
Boys soccer region tournaments
9th REGION AT MULTIPLE SITES
Tuesday
Newport Central Catholic at Covington Catholic, 7 p.m.
Ryle at Dixie Heights, 7 p.m.
Beechwood at Highlands, 7 p.m.
St. Henry at Conner, 7 p.m.
Thursday
Semifinal matches at Dixie Heights, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match at Dixie Heights, 4 p.m.
10th REGION AT MASON COUNTY
Tuesday
Harrison County vs. George Rogers Clark, 6 p.m.
Campbell County vs. Bourbon County, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Brossart vs. Harrison County-George Rogers Clark winner, 6 p.m.
Mason County vs. Campbell County-Bourbon County winner, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match, 1 p.m.